Montpellier is the capital of the Languedoc-Rousillon region and the beginning of one’s journey into a land of influences. The city is an hour by plane from Paris. It can be also reached by the TGV Premier Train from Paris to Montpellier. The one-way ride takes about 4 hours.

From Montpellier, travelers should rent a car to explore some of France’s most stunning landscapes: sawtooth mountains, rolling scrubland, plunging river gorges, miles of sun-drenched vineyards and cities dating back more then 2,000 years. It is a good idea to pick up a road map, as well as guide books and brochures of this sprawling region.

Although it covers only five percent of France, Languedoc-Rousillon has innumerable national monuments, historic sites, abbey and chateaux. The area also boasts a number of small towns and villages, most within a 20- to 60-minute drive, and all offering pleasant scenery. What follows is a sampling of the region’s most notable towns and villages.

Montpellier

Similar to Paris, the city of Montpellier is very walkable, with many narrow streets exclusive to pedestrians. Montpellier is best known for its college, the University of Montpellier, which has 70,000 years ago. Visitors will enjoy watching the youthful crowds amble around the town’s historic center, through dozens of medieval townhouses that have been transformed into brasseries, restaurants and fashion boutiques. Walking tours are available from the Triangle Bus tourist office.

Nimes

For a much different setting and experience, visit the town of Nimes, about a 45-minute drive from Montpellier. The city is famous for its Gallo-Roman monuments dating from the first and second centuries. Perhaps its most stunning and popular attraction is the well-preserved Amphitheater (built at the end of the first century), which today can still seat more than 20,000 spectators for the city’s annual festivals and bullfights. Also worth noting is the Maison Carree, a restored Roman temple erected between 4 A.D. and 7 A.D.

Nimes is also graced by Jardin de la Fontaine, an 18^th-century garden featuring the second-century Gallo-Roman Temple of Diana at its entrance. On Nimes’ highest point, the garden’s imposing 15^th century Tour Magne is the only remaining tower of a massive system of forts that originally boasted 30 towers.

An interesting side trip is a visit to Nimes old quarter, where master craftsman Christian Dumas restored antique furniture and paintings. The town also boasts plenty of cafes, restaurants and a huge food market.

For an overnight stay, try the New Hotel la Baume, located in the center of Nimes. The property was designed inside a prestigious 17^th century mansion and its 34 rooms are fitted around a centuries-old staircase. The bar, restaurant and meeting rooms were designed to complement the hotel’s old European charm.

Sete

A short drive from Montpellier is the City of Sete, the largest fishing port in the French Mediterranean and port of call for cruise ships. This terraced port town is built on the slopes of the limestone outcrop called Mont St. Clair, which descends to the Mediterranean shore on one side and to the edge of the Thau Lagoon on the other. Once an island, Sete is a maze of canals, narrow streets and 12 bridges.

Grand Hotel de Sete is a city landmark with great views of the canal-bordered streets. Its restaurant, La Rotonde, is also worth checking out.

Sauve

After leaving Nimes, take a short drive through the countryside, stopping in Sauve, a medieval village. There you can take a walk through the village’s haunting streets or visit the appropriately named Garden of Pitch Forks. Since the Middle Ages, nettle trees were cultivated here to make one-piece pitchforks.

Just outside Sauve is the charming La Regaliere restaurant, on route St. Jean du Gard. Other attractions include Les Enfants de Boisset in Anduze (a pottery manufacturer since 1610) and St. Quentin Le Poterie-Maison de la Terre, a studio specializing in Mediterranean ceramic arts. The high quality of St. Quentin goods gave rise to the pottery industry here.

Uzes

Moving to Uzes, take note of the city’s outline against the sky, spiked with towers seen from several miles away. These are the medieval towers of the first Duchy of France. Walk around this ancient town and check out the 12^th century Fenestrelle Tower (the remains of an ancient cathedral), as well as a number of chateaux, chapels and museums.

Just outside the Uzes is the famous Pont-du-Gard, an aqueduct built 2,000 years ago that spans the Gardon Valley. Have plenty of film left for the many photo opportunities available at this dramatic site.

A good suggestion for accommodations in this area is Hotel d’Entraigues. The 36-room hotel offers a panoramic view of the town’s private houses built in the 17^th and 18^th centuries.

Another nearby choice in the town of Sabran is the upscale, 30-room Chateaux de Montcaud hotel, which resembles a large estate or country home but offers full-service hotel amenities. The 11-acre property has a tennis court, heated swimming pool, sauna, fitness center and restaurant called Les Jardins de Montcaud.

This rural and scenic area offers a number of sprawling vineyards. In the middle of an olive grove near Sabran lies a century-old, Mediterranean-style farmhouse called Domain de Clos, a bed-and-breakfast with five bedrooms, horse stables, gardens, a wine cellar swimming pool, beautiful vistas and lots of land for long walks.